Kobe cites talented USA squad, pulls out of Rio 2016 consideration
LOS ANGELES (2016 Rio Olympics) - The future has never been brighter for the USA in international basketball. That's what superstar Kobe Bryant thinks and because of that, the veteran has decided his time playing for the Americans is over.
Stating just several weeks ago how wonderful it would be to follow up his final NBA campaign by playing for the national team one last time, the 37-year-old has withdrawn his name from consideration for a spot in the side that will compete at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
I've had my moment. Since my retirement announcement, I'm able to watch these guys in a different light. I've come to terms with the fact that they are the future of this game. These are the guys who deserve the spots in Rio. These are the guys who people need to watch and root for. These are the guys to show fans where this game is going in the future. - Bryant
Some of the players that Bryant was speaking of represented the USA two years ago at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. They put on an unforgettable, dominant show that ended with the Americans on top of the podium.
Kobe, who has spent his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was a terrific player for the USA in their title wins at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship and at the last two Olympics. There was not a more popular Olympian for the fans at the 2008 Beijing Games. He wore the shirt of his country with immense pride.
The USA have never looked as dominant as they did two years ago, though, in Spain. Most of those players, as well as members of the 2012 Olympic squad and up-and-coming stars like Draymond Green of NBA champions Golden State Warriors - who took part in last summer's national team minicamp in Las Vegas - will contend for spots on the Olympic roster.
Kobe Bryant did USA Basketball and himself a favor by removing his name from Rio Olympics consideration: https://t.co/QlWDBWUWzR
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) January 17, 2016
USA Basketball supremo Jerry Colangelo had said after Bryant's initial declaration that he wanted to go to Rio that he had earned the right to be considered for a spot in the team. Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski will still have their work cut out for them to come up with a final Olympic roster.
There will be no shortage of players looking to play for the Americans as they go after a third straight gold medal.
FIBA
